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+--- Thread: Best 2 or 4 bay to function as an ethernet direct connect (/showthread.php?tid=11985)
Best 2 or 4 bay to function as an ethernet direct connect - Enquiries - 05-08-2025
I'm moving to a plex server on a Mac mini M4 (not yet purchased) and looking at storage options for it. I have an old DS1813+ that just doesn't have the horse power any more. I considered an 8 bay replacement but that seems too pricey at ~$1200 were the Mac mini can be used for many old tasks. Thoughts?
RE: Best 2 or 4 bay to function as an ethernet direct connect - ed - 05-09-2025
If you're looking for an affordable NAS or DAS solution that can act as direct storage for your Mac mini M4 and replace the aging DS1813+, you have a few good options to consider in the $200 to $600 range.
Synology DS923+ (4-bay) – At the higher end of your budget, the DS923+ would be a solid upgrade. It’s a 4-bay NAS that offers 10GbE upgradeability, making it future-proof if you want faster network speeds later. You can use it as both a NAS and a DAS depending on your setup. It supports Plex and would handle storage demands for 16TB easily.
QNAP TS-464 (4-bay) – Another solid choice in your budget, the TS-464 offers PCIe expansion for adding 10GbE or other upgrades later. It also features robust multimedia support and Plex compatibility.
Synology DS223j (2-bay) – If you're okay with a 2-bay solution, the DS223j is budget-friendly and a great entry-level NAS. It's ideal for personal use and can still serve your Plex needs if you’re not dealing with massive amounts of 4K content.
Asustor AS5304T (4-bay) – This one provides a strong balance of performance, and at around the $600 mark, it gives you a good set of features, including 2.5GbE and Plex support.
For direct connection, you might also look into using a DAS (Direct-Attached Storage) solution if you want simpler performance without needing the network infrastructure of a full NAS. The WD My Book Duo (for example) can be an affordable alternative.
In your price range, I'd lean toward the DS923+ if you want more flexibility and future-proofing, but the DS223j would be a good fit for a budget-conscious 2-bay setup.
RE: Best 2 or 4 bay to function as an ethernet direct connect - bevis0405 - 06-30-2025
(05-08-2025, 01:35 AM)Enquiries Wrote: I'm moving to a plex server on a Mac mini M4 (not yet purchased) and looking at storage Worldguessr options for it. I have an old DS1813+ that just doesn't have the horse power any more. I considered an 8 bay replacement but that seems too pricey at ~$1200 were the Mac mini can be used for many old tasks. Thoughts?
If you're open to dual-device setups, run storage through a small TrueNAS box and mount to Mac mini via SMB/NFS.
RE: Best 2 or 4 bay to function as an ethernet direct connect - ColeHarry - 07-25-2025
(05-08-2025, 01:35 AM)Enquiries Wrote: I'm moving to a plex server on a Mac mini M4 (not yet purchased) and looking at storage options for it. I have an old DS1813+ that just doesn't have the horse power any more. I considered an 8 bay replacement but that seems too pricey at ~$1200 were the Mac mini can be used for many old tasks. Thoughts? escape road
It’s perfect for personal use and works well with Plex, as long as you’re not streaming large amounts of 4K content.